‘We monitor terror threat situation very closely,’ says Flanagan
‘But we are by no means immune’
CHARLIE Flanagan has insisted that the Government is ‘on top of things’ in relation to potential terrorist threats.
The Foreign Affairs Minister spoke in the wake of Saturday’s terror attack in London in which seven people were killed.
Yesterday Mr Flanagan said he had been in contact with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and said Ireland’s national security committee is engaging in a ‘constant review’ of strategy in response to terrorist incidents.
He told RTÉ Radio that briefings involving the Departments of Transport, Communications, Justice, Defence and Foreign Affairs had taken place in recent days.
‘We continue to monitor the situation very closely and we share intelligence at the highest level with the UK. [We] have been doing so overnight.’
He added: ‘We have an ongoing review of strategy. Our international strategy, the engagement doesn’t remain static.
‘We’re very much on top of things here… But we are by no means immune, by no means exempt; our threat level is currently moderate.
‘It’s always possible we’ll have a threat but we don’t have any evidence and it’s unlikely. We will continue to review the situation in light of ongoing developments and best practice internationally. If that warrants further updating of resources, that will certainly be done.’
Meanwhile, the new leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar, indicated that he intends to establish a Cabinet-level security committee in the style of the UK government’s Cobra committee. The UK’s Cobra committee deals with major crises such as terror attacks.
A spokesman said that although Ireland is not ‘at high risk, it is important to be prepared for every eventuality. The new committee will allow greater ministerial involvement in preparing for and managing major security threats.’
Yesterday, Michael D Higgins led tributes here to those killed in the attack, offering his sympathy to their loved-ones.
The President said this latest attack in London would be condemned ‘by all those who believe in the rights of our public to live their lives in the public space’.
Tánaiste Mrs Fitzgerald said gardaí have offered support to the authorities in London, and added that the attack was a ‘depraved and cowardly attack on innocent people’. Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemned the attack, and said Ireland would continue to work with the UK on security matters.
‘The Irish people stand with our close neighbours once again,’ he said.
Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar said innocent people had been targeted ‘in the most craven and horrific manner’.
‘We extend our solidarity to the people of the UK and condemn this incident in the strongest possible terms,’ he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed there were no reports of Irish injuries.